Intel Shifts Focus from 20A to 18A Process Node
Intels decision to cancel its 20A process node for Foundry customers has sparked conversations in the tech industry. Instead, the company will reallocate resources to the 18A node, which is scheduled for production in 2025. Additionally, Intel plans to transfer the majority of Arrow Lake production to an external partner, believed to be TSMC.
Intel notes that the lessons learned from the 20A node contributed to the success of 18A. The 18A node incorporates several techniques, materials, and transistor architectures that originally debuted with 20A. The 20A process was the first to integrate both RibbonFET gate-all-around transistor architecture and PowerVia backside power delivery technology.
RibbonFET represents Intels first new transistor design since FinFET, while PowerVia enhances transistor performance and reduces power consumption. The success of 18A allowed Intel to shift engineering resources from 20A earlier than anticipated. As a result, Intel is still on track to meet its goal of delivering five nodes in four years.
Despite Intel’s optimistic outlook, a recent report suggests that 18A is far from production-ready. Sources indicate that Broadcom found the initial production run of 18A wafers to be highly unimpressive after extensive testing on its internal systems. Intel maintains that 18A is delivering good yields and is on track to enter production next year. However, the spokesperson declined to comment on whether Broadcom’s partnership with Intel remains intact despite the disappointing 18A tests.
Intel recently announced that it will be canceling its 20A process node for Foundry customers and reallocating resources to the 18A node, which is scheduled for production in 2025. While this news may come as a surprise to some, it’s clear that Intel is committed to pushing the boundaries of semiconductor technology.
According to Intel, the lessons learned from the 20A node have contributed to the success of the 18A node. The 20A process was the first to integrate both RibbonFET gate-all-around transistor architecture and PowerVia backside power delivery technology. These advancements have paved the way for the development of more efficient and powerful semiconductors.
Intel claims that the 18A node is already operational, successfully booting on operating systems and yielding positive results. While a recent report suggests that the node may not be production-ready, Intel remains optimistic about its potential. With the company’s commitment to delivering five nodes in four years, it will be interesting to see how the 18A node plays a role in this goal.